Rosters around MLB are taking shape as Opening Day nears, and the Boston Red Sox still have plenty of cuts to make.
Depth isn’t a problem for the 2025 Sox, who still have well over the 26 necessary players to field an Opening Day roster remaining in camp. But baseball, and all sports, are unpredictable, and depth can disappear quickly.
More pitchers are always beneficial, especially for a team desperate for a postseason run like the Sox. They could turn to recently released players to up their depth at a reasonable price and reunite with a former Boston arm.
The Mariners just released Drew Pomeranz as he attempts to return to MLB. He hasn’t appeared in a big league game since 2021 after he underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. The former starter has turned to a relief role in his most recent seasons, and excessive bullpen depth is critical down the stretch — especially after the Sox’s bullpen blew up in the second half of last season, one of the reasons they missed out on a Wild Card berth.
Pomeranz pitched for the Red Sox from 2016-19 and clocked a 4.24 ERA with 311 strikeouts and 137 walks in 316.1 innings. Boston acquired him via trade with the Padres, a team to which he would later return in 2020-21 as a reliever. He pitched to a 1.62 ERA with 59 strikeouts over 44.1 innings out of San Diego’s bullpen in the final two seasons before he fell injured.
Red Sox could turn to recently released Drew Pomeranz and Brandon Drury as depth pieces
Pomeranz attempted a return to MLB with the Dodgers and Giants in 2024, but both teams optioned him to Triple-A. LA later released him after a rough body of work and he rejected the assignment from the Giants and opted for free agency. The Mariners released him in 2025 after a rough spring training performance when he clocked a 4.70 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 7.2 innings pitched. His strikeout total is reassuring, and that’s only a small sample size of innings.
The Red Sox have more position players than they know what to do with, but anything can happen. Boston is dominated by young players, and it could use more MLB experience. Brandon Drury was just released by the White Sox, and his versatility could help the Sox out if they ever need more infield or outfield depth.
The veteran is fresh off a rough 2024 season, during which he batted .169/.242/.228 for the Angels. He posted an excellent spring training with the White Sox, though, to the tune of a .410/.439/.821 slash line with three homers over 13 games.
Chicago released Drury due to a fractured thumb that is expected to keep him sidelined for much of the first half. The Red Sox love a sign-and-stash deal lately, or they could pick him up, if necessary, when he’s ready to return to action in a few months. But after Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony’s great spring training performances, they’re more likely to turn to their top prospects for no-cost depth
